Ex-legislator bags seven years imprisonment for drug trafficking

A former member of Adamawa State House of Assembly and delegate national constitutional conference, Honourable Missa Bobbo and a notorious drug baron Bappa Madu of Ngurore town have been sentenced to seven years imprisonment each by Honourable Justice Balkisu Bello Aliyu of the Federal High Court sitting in Yola.

 

They were arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in connection with unlawful possession of illicit drugs which is in violation of section 19 of the NDLEA Act. The former legislator was convicted for possessing 81.9kg of cannabis sativa while Bappa was found guilty of possessing 61.6kg of tramadol.

 

Justice Balkisu said that the involvement of the former legislator in drug trafficking is shameful and subsequently sentenced him to seven years imprisonment. Missa Bobbo was member, House of Assembly in Adamawa State representing Leko-Koma constituency between 1991 and 1993. He was also a member of the national constitutional conference in 1995. Apart from the dried weeds of cannabis found with him; fresh plants of cannabis were also harvested from his cannabis farm.

 

Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade in his reaction described the action of the ex-parliamentarian as distasteful adding that the conviction will serve as deterrent to others.

 

“The war against drug trafficking is absolute. There are no sacred cows. Anyone involved in criminal acts must be prepared for the day of judgement. This arrest and conviction further validates the fact that the law is supreme. NDLEA will continue to work towards a society that is free from drug trafficking and abuse. Both cases are significant because Missa is a former legislator and the second convict is a notorious drug trafficker that deals in psychotropic substances in the State” Giade stated.

 

Adamawa State commander of the NDLEA, Mr Yakubu Kibo said that the arrest of the two convicts was a welcome development as their activities were negatively affecting the lifestyle of most youths in the State. “The command is working very hard to reduce cases of substance abuse especially among young people. I am happy with the conviction because of the consequences of their illegal drug activities. In addition to arrest and prosecution of drug dealers, the command conducts anti-drug abuse education in schools, motor parks and other places to sensitise people on the consequences of drug production, trafficking and abuse” Yakubu stated.

 

The legal battle against the former house of assembly member started in October 2013 when he was arrested with 81.9kg of cannabis sativa. The second convict, Bappa Madu was caught in June 2015. Bappa is married to four wives with twenty-five children.